The perimeter of a standard-sized rectangular rug is 28 ft. The length is 2 ft longer than the width. How do you find the dimensions. What is the width?

Question

Genesis Allen · Accepted Answer

The dimensions are 6 feet by 8 feet and the width is 6 feet.

The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is: #p = 2*w + 2l# where #p# is the perimeter, #w# is the width and #l# is the length. We are told the length is 2 ft longer than the width. So, we can write this as: #l = w + 2# We are also given the perimeter or #p#. So substituting #28# for #p# and #w + 2# for #l# we can rewrite this formula as follows and solve for #w# while keeping the equation balanced: #28 = 2*w + 2*(w + 2)# #28 = 2w + 2w + 4# #28 = 4w + 4# #28 - 4 = 4w + 4 - 4# #24 = 4w# #24/4 = (4w)/4# #w = 6# We can number substitute #6W for #w# in the equation for #l# to determine the length: #l = 6 + 2# #l = 8#

Eva Adamson · Answer

undefined Let $W$ be the width. The length is $W + 2$. The perimeter ($P$) is given by $P = 2L + 2W$. Set up the equation $28 = 2(W + 2) + 2W$ and solve for $W$. The width is 6 ft.